The much ballyhooed engagement of movie stars Jennifer Lopez (news) and Ben Affleck (news) has been officially called off, a spokesman for the singer/actress said on January 22, 2004. The celebrity couple were supposed to marry last September but at the last minute called the wedding off, blaming the postponement on the media frenzy their planned nuptials had created. The couple is shown at Boston's Fenway Park on Oct. 11. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

ET has learned that BEN AFFLECK and JENNIFER LOPEZ are Bennifer no more. Today, a representative for Lopez told ET, "I am confirming the reports that Jennifer Lopez has ended her engagement to Ben Affleck. At this difficult time, we ask that you respect her privacy."

Next week's Us magazine is reporting the particulars of the breakup. The tumultuous 18-month romance purportedly ended Jan. 20, just three days after Ben returned to Los Angeles from the Sundance Film Festival. The decision was reportedly mutual.

One reason for the final demise of the relationship is said to be Jennifer's desire to settle down and have a baby. Another, according to Us, was her chagrin at Ben's partying ways. The latest incident cited was Ben and pal MATT DAMON's night out in Berlin, where the two were photographed being admired by a bevy of women.

Fascination with the couple's status began to surface nearly two years ago. In July of 2002, less than two months after Jen's split with husband No. 2 was announced, Ben threw Jen a party for her 33rd birthday and presented her with a HARRY WINSTON bracelet of yellow and gold diamonds. When Ben proposed in the fall, he left no romantic stone unturned. He took her to his mom's Boston-area home, which was decorated with rose petals. Jen's music was playing in the background. He then began to read a letter detailing the reasons why he loved her before getting down on one knee and presenting her with the famous 6-carat, pink-diamond, engagement ring.

Ben and Jen, as you'll recall, were supposed to tie the knot Sept. 14 on the California coast, but abruptly canceled their plans just days before the ceremony. Despite the couple's efforts to keep the wedding under wraps by having vendors sign confidentiality agreements and refusing to tell the 400 guests the location of the event, details of the celebration began to leak at a break-neck pace. As news spread, hotel rooms in and around the usually quiet seaside town of Santa Barbara, CA, were sold out as the media moved in.

Then, four days before the wedding, the couple confirmed they were delaying their nuptials and blamed the intense media scrutiny for their decision. In a joint statement, they said, "Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date. When we found ourselves seriously contemplating hiring three separate 'decoy brides' at three different locations, we realized that something was awry. We felt what should have been a joyful and sacred day could be spoiled for us, our family and our friends." Insiders led ET to believe that Jennifer personally made the calls to advise guests and was said to be very upset and difficult to understand through her tears.

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